The Ultimate 3 Day Santorini Itinerary on a Budget

How to Get to Santorini

Much like my guide on Rhodes, you can get to the island of Santorini by ferry or flight. The flights are shorter, but you may enjoy the ferry if you’re not in a rush. You can also bring your vehicle if you take the ferry, which is a plus if you have a car or rented one in Athens or elsewhere.

We took an Aegean Airlines flight from Rhodes to Santorini, which wound up being a three-hour flight because, from Rhodes, we had to fly back to Athens, then had a layover before hopping on a one-hour flight to Santorini. Annoying, yes, there’s no direct flight, but it’s the way it goes.

Booking with Aegean was easy, and I found them very accommodating. We had planned this trip pre-COVID, and they were kind enough to make rebooking easy. However, the flights were a bit more expensive after the pandemic.

How to Get Around Santorini

When we landed in Santorini, it was just short of midnight, so I had arranged with the hotel to come pick us up, as the regular Santorini buses weren’t running at that hour. This is something to consider if you are also landing early or very late, as the buses start running after 7 am and end around 9 pm.

You can also take taxis and Uber in Santorini, so consider that an additional option.

What’s the Cheapest Way to Get Around Santorini?

Whether you land during those hours or not, you’ll need to know how to get around Santorini during your 3 day Santorini itinerary. The cheapest way to get around Santorini is on the buses I mentioned, called “KTEL Buses.”

Tickets for the KTEL Buses are purchased on the bus in exchange for cash. Using the local buses, you can get from any part of the island to any other part. However, most of the time, you have to go through Fira and change lines there, as it’s where all the buses depart and finish their routes. Here, you can find their scheduled times and routes.

23 public buses operate all year long. There are many bus routes during the summer but only a few during the winter. If you happen to be going during the winter, remember that you may need to use Uber or a taxi service if you need to be somewhere quickly or at a specific time. On the other hand, know that the KTEL Buses can be rather busy during the summertime.

A Note on Using Buses in Santorini

Trust me, we had an experience where they let on my Aunt, mom, and me, but not my cousin. Unfortunately, we didn’t notice until the bus had already started moving. Of course, this caused panic, so we got the bus to stop and waited for the next one so we could all go on.

To avoid what we went through if you do get split up, have all of your party know where you’re staying. We only found out after that my Aunt panicked so hard because she didn’t know, so she assumed my cousin didn’t. My cousin was fine getting the next bus without us, but the panic had already arisen. All this would have been calmer if my Aunt had taken her phone and felt assured of communication. Lesson learned! (hopefully)

We went in September, so it was not quite summertime peak season, but relatively close and experienced this, so be aware should you be visiting then.

Things to Do on Your 3 Day Santorini Itinerary

We’ve sorted out how you’ll get to Santorini, transportation from the airport, and how you’ll get around. Now it’s time to dig into what you’ll see and plan your 3 day Santorini itinerary!

Akrotiri

I’m starting with my favorite experience on this 3 day Santorini itinerary: Akrotiri! Akrotiri is a Minoan Bronze Age settlement. It’s easy to forget these days that Santorini is a volcanic Greek island. However, it’s hard to forget once you see this settlement that was destroyed in the Theran eruption sometime in the 16th century BC and buried in volcanic ash.

Like Pompeii, the settlement was preserved by volcanic ash, so the remains of ancient frescoes, artifacts, and artworks are on display today. This makes it one of the most important prehistoric settlements in the Mediterranean from an archeological perspective.

It is important to note that although Pompeii is much more famous than Akrotiri, it is far older. The eruption of Mount Vesuvius buried and destroyed Pompeii in 79 AD. Ancient Akrotiri was settled sometime between 5000 and 3000 BC and was a thriving agricultural center by around 2000 BC.

General admission tickets to visit Akrotiri are €16 and allow you to tour the archeological site at your own pace with a skip-the-line e-ticket. However, upon arrival, we met an archeologist who was giving a tour, so we opted to pay an additional fee for that. If you’re a history nerd like me, it’s 100% worth it as you learn far more and can look around while listening instead of reading the plaques. However, this is a personal preference instead of a must-do.

We spent around 1 – 1.5 hours at Akrotiri on this tour and then looked around a bit afterward.

Red Beach

The volcanic elements of the island cause the unique color at Red Beach in Santorini. It’s a small but busy beach surrounded by large rocks that create a steep path to gain access. If you can get there, it’s an excellent place to snorkel as there’s a lot of marine life.

We chose to go here after Akrotiri so that we wouldn’t tour the archeological site mid-day in the heat but instead be at a beach during the warmer hours. You can get here by car, but you can also visit by bus. However, if I were to do this all over again, I’d go by boat. Why? Because it’s one hell of a place to get to!

There is a small path, though I’m hesitant to call it that, that leads up to Red Beach. If you wear anything white or light, note that the red sand may stain it. I saw a guy with white Converse on the path. Best of luck to his shoes!

My family attempted to climb over rocks up this path, which gets pretty arduous at the top, but only my aunt and cousin went all the way down to the beach. My Mom has knee issues and had trouble navigating the path because of this rocky terrain, so if you have any mobility issues, I highly discourage you from attempting this.

Getting to Red Beach

If you do make it over, there is a beach with a few umbrellas and sunbeds but no bar, so bring whatever you want to eat or drink with you—and that includes sunscreen! Just before beginning the path, there is a bar you can purchase from. It’s where my Mom and I wound up returning to after we turned back on the path and waited for the rest of my family.

Please note that it can get pretty hot during the summer, even when we were there in September, so remember to hydrate! My Mom felt a bit dizzy on the climb up, which is partly why we turned back.

As I mentioned, if I were to redo this, I’d have gotten a boat that took me up to the seaside of the beach and just viewed it from there, so that’s what I’m recommending to you for your 3 day Santorini itinerary. These tours usually include visiting other popular beaches, so you can do multiple in one go. Some even let you view the Volcano!

Perissa Black Beach

Perissa Black Beach is a far easier beach to access. It’s covered in black sand, hence the name, due to the island’s volcanic activity, just like Red Beach. The eruptions that caused this are so unique that this type of black sandy beach can’t be found elsewhere in the Aegean.

Because of this, there are many black sand beaches in Santorini, namely Perivolos and Kamari Beach, in addition to Perissa. All of these are equipped with umbrellas, sunbeds, bars, and restaurants, so you will only have to haul something with you if you wish to.

A note: you usually have to pay for the umbrellas and sunbeds. It costs anywhere from €7 to €10 for two sunbeds and an umbrella for the day. We just brought our towels with us as we weren’t planning on staying for the whole day. Some beach bars do offer the sunbeds for free, but that’s if you’re ordering food and drinks.

If you’re a beach party person, some of these beaches even host them, so check their event calendars for whatever dates you’re visiting. I don’t recall it having a party vibe, but I may have gone too early or on an off day. You can also participate in water sports during your 3 day Santorini itinerary, such as jet skiing and parasailing.

Museum of Prehistoric Thera

The Museum of Prehistoric Thera was another favorite on my 3 day Santorini itinerary. Everyone thinks of Oia when they imagine Santorini, but there is a LOT of history here, and this museum helps remind you of that.

The Museum of Prehistoric Thera uses Akrotiri as a reference point to show the life and culture of Thira during the Prehistoric period. Here, you’ll find exhibits showcasing art, pottery, artifacts, and frescos depicting the civilization that thrived here so long ago.

The exhibition that stands out is the “Thera wall paintings: the masterpieces of the Aegean Prehistory.” These impressive wall paintings are displayed in the way they would have been in the settlement rooms, giving the feeling of walking through the settlement itself.

We spent about 1.5 hours here, and it’s a pretty cheap museum experience at only €6 during the summer season and €3 during the winter. There is a special package for €15 that includes Ancient Thira, Akrotiri, and Museum of Prehistoric Thira that is valid for 3 days.

Oia

Alright, you finally made it! The place that almost all the pictures of Santorini feature, Oia! It’s where those blue domes and white-washed walls are and is what you think of when picturing a Greek island. And it’s disappointing in that it’s… exactly like it is in the pictures. I’m kidding; it’s not disappointing at all. It’s actually a lovely place to walk around, snap some pics, and grab a sunset meal, which is precisely what we did (my restaurant rec is below).

Since, according to National Geographic, the best sunset in the world is in Oia. So it’s a must on your 3 day Santorini itinerary. If you don’t know, Oia is a coastal town on the northwestern tip of Santorini. Carved into the rugged clifftops, the town ascends over the sea and overlooks the caldera.

What’s a caldera? A caldera is a large depression formed when a volcano erupts and collapses. Hence Santorini’s crescent shape. Check out the video below for a short explanation, as you’ll likely hear the word ‘caldera’ a lot in Santorini.

Now you can, of course, also visit Oia during the day on a boat or you can go during the day or evening as I did, which I recommend. This way, you can stroll through town, visit the churches and stores, and get a feel for the town up close.

Plateia Theotokopoulou

If you’ll recall from my guide on Athens, my family LOVES to shop. I, on the other hand, am not so keen. However, to appease the masses, we visited Plateia Theotokopoulou (Theotokopoulou Square), Fira’s main square.

Plateia Theotokopoulou is home to many small streets filled with people and shops. It’s also the largest town in Santorini. Here, you can find everything from jewelry to souvenirs to clothing. There are also a fair number of cafes, restaurants, and bars.

If you have no affinity for shopping, this is a good one to skip on this 3 day Santorini itinerary.

Going Out at Night in Fira

The last recommendation I have for you that we did during our 3 day Santorini itinerary was a night out in Fira. We had stayed in Fira and had dinner there (more on both below), so we were familiar with the area; however, it was an entirely different experience at night.

It’s a great vibe day or night, but at night, it’s definitely more of a party vibe with lively bars and music. My cousin and I went out for a girl’s night out, and I loved it! I highly recommend doing this if that’s your jam. However, one safety note: the drinks we had were STRONG! We went to the Tropical Bar. You’ll get your money’s worth when going out at night in Fira.

Another kinda strange but cool thing that happened on our night out was how much the caldera changed at night. You can see what I mean in the video below. The photo is from our dinner just hours before, and then the fog rolled in off the water at night. It’s very cool and a bit spooky to see!

@travelherstoryblog It looked like a movie 😱😳 in Fira Santorini, Greece as the fog rolled over the caldera #firasantorini #santorini #santorinigreece #santoriniisland ♬ original sound – Our Awesome World 🌎

Suggested 3 Day Santorini Itinerary

Day 1

Akrotiri, Red Beach or a Boat Tour

Day 2

Perissa Black Beach, Museum of Prehistoric Thera, Go Out at Night in Fira

Day 3

Shop in Plateia Theotokopoulou, Sunset Dinner in Oia

Where to Stay in Santorini

You’ve got your 3 day Santorini itinerary sorted. Now, you need to figure out where to stay. I chose Fira because it’s located in the island’s center, making it easily accessible. I knew we would be relying on the local buses in Santorini, and the central station where all buses start and end is in Fira, so that made it a logical choice.

If I recall, Fira is also cheaper to stay in than a place like Oia since that’s the ‘hot spot’ of Santorini. So, if you want semi-affordable accommodation in Santorini that’s centrally located and easily accessible to public transport, Fira is the place to go.

We stayed at Villa Soula, which was perfect for our group of four. We got a large room that accommodated us all. They have free Wi-Fi, luggage storage (which we used as we departed late on our last day), a concierge who was super helpful in answering all our questions, a terrace, and a pool that we most certainly used in that heat!

They also have scooter/moped rentals, bicycle rentals, hiking trails, and horse riding nearby. We didn’t utilize any of this, but it’s good to know it’s available if you need to fill in your 3 day Santorini itinerary.

It’s also located just minutes down the hill from the main area of Fira, so we were able to walk up to attractions and activities such as the Museum of Prehistoric Thira, Plateia Theotokopoulou, and a view of the caldera.

I’d highly recommend Villa Soula. We had a wonderful time, and its location made it extremely convenient.

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Where to Eat in Santorini

Before I headed off to Santorini, I was told that you NEED restaurant reservations as getting a table, particularly during sunset, was troublesome. This was from someone who had visited pre-COVID. I did book ahead, and that gave me piece of mind. However, there were empty tables upon arrival, so we would have been okay without them.

Nowadays, I’m unsure, but I’d reserve either way. You don’t want to miss a sunset dinner experience. It’s a must on your 3 days Santorini itinerary.

Pelekanos Restaurant Oia Santorini

The Pelekanos Restaurant is located in Oia, so we took a taxi that we booked through our hotel to get there. As I mentioned previously, Oia is known for its sunsets, so getting a view from there at dinner was amazing!

From where the taxi dropped us off, it was only a short walk up to the restaurant. Oia is mostly closed to cars since it only has small pedestrian roads so note that in case you have any mobility issues. This restaurant as well, please note for mobility as you have to climb a steep set of stairs to reach the terrace.

From Pelekanos’ terrace, you oversee the caldera and get a 360-degree panoramic view of the entire island. We visited in September, so I chose 6 pm as our dinner reservation. This provided us some time before the sunset to view Oia. We were then able to enjoy our dinner and drinks as the sunset over the water. This timing may change depending on what time of year you’re visiting.

Fanari Restaurant Fira

Another great place to catch the sunset is Fanari in Fira. Since it was so close to our hotel, we were able to walk there for dinner. It originated as an old family bakery with a history of over a century and is now run as a restaurant.

Like the others listed here, this restaurant was chosen for its vast selection of food. I had two vegetarians, one who’s gluten intolerant and another who doesn’t like fish, so the menu was big enough to accommodate everyone.

Fanari prides itself on being a privately owned building at the Caldera that offers “creative” accents to traditional tastes. It also incorporates local products and showcases Santorini’s cuisine.

Lonely Planet recommends this restaurant for its “breathtaking view, its traditional Greek cuisine and the high quality dishes at affordable prices.” And I agree—the view is beautiful!

Veganissimo

Lastly, if you are vegan or vegetarian, I recommend Veganissimo. Located in Fira, it was one of the places my vegetarian relatives really liked, and I enjoyed it as well.

The vegan owner aims to offer vegan cuisine due to the limited options available in Santorini. It’s located on the main street of Fira, near Plateia Theotokopoulou. They have many options to pick from and use local Santorini products to serve the highest-quality vegan food.

Respecting all taste preferences, Veganissimo allows vegans and non-vegans to enjoy dining together in the same restaurant, as they cover all tastes.

Additional Things to Do in Santorini

We didn’t get to everything on my list, so here are a few extra things to add to your 3 day Santorini itinerary if you have more time!

Final Thoughts on This 3 Day Santorini Itinerary

Overall, I really enjoyed this 3 day Santorini itinerary I built for my family. It had a nice mix of history, which I most heartily enjoy, and relaxing beaches for them.

Have questions about this 3 day Santorini itinerary? Drop them in the comments below!

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